Cutting Through the Clutter Searching the Web. There is a wealth of information waiting for you on...
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Cutting Through the Clutter
Searching the Web
There is a wealth of information waiting for you on the internet, if you know the right tools to use and the right way to use them. A common problem is finding too much information….lots of “stuff”, just not the specific “stuff” you need.
Understanding the Need for Search Tools
No card catalog for the web 11 billion pages on the web Search engines do not index the entire web Google indexes approximately 8,000,000,000
pages We need multiple tools in order to be
successful searching the web
Comparing Directories to Search Engines
Google is a search engine Yahoo is a search directory
Web Directories Defined
Contain a set of hierarchal menus Categorized by webmasters or directory staff. Sometimes staff are
subject experts; sometimes not. Best for browsing purposes but can be searched. Require significant human effort to develop and maintain.
Examples of popular directory
The value of directories:1. limited peer review
2. serendipitous discovery while browsing through categories.
Search Engines Defined Automated programs, called robots, spiders, search the web
24/7and index web sites. Some index words in the title, URL, introductory paragraphs, or full-
text of all documents on a web site. Some use a combination of these words and phrases, all of which are entered into the search engine's database.
The "spiders" search in different ways - and different parts of the Internet. The same search with different engines will yield different results.
Most popular search engine is
The value of search engines: 1. BIG! 2. full-text searching.
Using a Meta Searcher
Meta searcher searches the big engines and directories
Dogpile is a metasearch site — it searches multiple engines, filters for duplicates, and then presents the results to the user.
Dogpile uses multiple popular search engines, as well as sponsored links.
Using a Meta Searcher Clusty
Clusty is a clustering search engine using innovative software to access and cluster the world's information for better search and discovery.
Does not search Google
Understanding the Benefits of Using Google
Size of the database searched is approximately 5 billion pages
Clean interface “No advertisements” Does not take payment for placement Placement is based on the # of web sites that
link to the web site.
Understanding When Not to use Google
Multimedia Invisible web Audio files
What is the Invisible Web
The invisible web can not be searched by search engines
Pages in the invisible web are behind a data base
Using Beaucoup to Search the Invisible Web
Beaucoup helps you find information not usually searchable in the standard way
Beaucoup is not a search engine it is a connection to other search sites
Finding Specialized Info with Fagan Finder
Use Fagan Finder for specialized searches Fagan Finder’s goal is to help people find
what they are looking for.
Making the Most of Google Searches
Putting the search criteria in the Right Place
Do not put text in address box Average person looks at 3 pages of the
listings.
Using the Basic Google Interface
Search Box Search Options (hyperlinks)
Using Google Preferences
Set the preferences (right side of search box)
Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button
Excludes all but the top search site Use when you are very sure of the search
results
Five Tip for Refining Your Searches
1. Be specific 2. Use quotes “0” to search phrases 3. Use “0” + “0” sign to include 4. Use “0” – “0” sign to exclude 5. Combine symbols often
Refining a Search with Quotes
Compare searches with the without quotes
“African Elephants”
Refining a Google Search with Specific Words
the more you refine your search the better the results
Enter “How many buffalo are in the United States?”
Enter again using “buffalo herd” “united states” current number
Using Synonyms in Searches
Try bison and buffalo in search
Using Symbols (-)
Using the – sign to improve search results
Using Symbols
Using OR to enhance searches“capital punishment” OR “death penalty” +
“minnesota”
Using Symbols
Using Google’s wildcard featureGoogle has automatic stemming it will add endings
to words the * is a wild card as in Three * Mice
Now try three * mice blind
Using the search tab in Google
Web Images, Groups (user groups) Directories (similar to Yahoo)
New 4,500 current news sites
Using Google’s Advanced Search Page
Planets lesson plans moons earth
Extreme Google Searching
Using Google’s Calculator Function
* multiply 100 miles in kilometers 185 pounds in kilograms
Using the Auto Synonym Finder in Google
~ before the word Try ~infant (synonym in bold)
Using Google’s Phonebook Function
reverse lookup type in number type in name and city/state type b phone: (business phone yellow pages)
Using Google’s Travel and Mapping Function
type address United 11 msp airport